Of course, not having the opportunity for my kids to get exercise outside does get old. We're onto Day 4. Andy has been playing football in the rain (what troopers these kids and coaches are!), but the rest of the time the boys are wrestling, jumping, yelling and bickering! Lilly has channeled her energy into writing a comic book, painting her brothers' faces (see photos for examples of her work) and having playdates with friends. Overall, we're surviving and the weather folks have promised some drier weather for the rest of the week! Hey, maybe we can even go to the beach!

Harry, the Last Airbender

Dad

I can't remember if we ever had Dad go first on The Wednesday News! Dad's had a pretty run-of-the-mill week this week. Commute to work, work, come meet us at football practice, arrive home for the first time all day, help me feed the kids a second dinner and then crash from exhaustion along with the rest of us.

Dad volunteered to stand out in the rain with Andy during his first football game this past Sunday while the rest of us enjoyed the shelter of the mall and the car. I was in charge of driving to fetch dry clothes for the two of them (I know, I should have thought of that before we left but I really thought it was going to stop raining). On the way back to the game, I treated the other 3 kids to a special snack at the mall as a reward for getting dragged all over creation. (The event was about 45 minutes from here!)

We had a lot of family time this weekend! Ironically, even though it wasn't raining on Saturday, we went to an indoor arcade/playplace. Dad, apparently, is a whiz at the video version of "Deal or No Deal"! He had a good plan. Have the kids go through their tokens, next have them play at the indoor playground (this place has rides and everything!), then have a snack, get a few more tokens and then go HOME! That way we avoid going broke and having bored kids on our hands. We got to eat out on the way home which was a lot of fun too!

Andy

I thought it was fitting to have Andy's name written in his football colors since that's the name of the game this week/month! Andy is really getting into it! He's been looking for our local NFL team on TV at every opporunity and been arranging pickup games with his brothers. However, because of the rain, he's been forced to do it indoors and I will not allow it. So whenever I hear, "Hike!" I gotta shut it down. Sorry, dude!

His first game was kind of special since there were a bunch of teams from the area playing. We came and rescued the drenched Dad and fullback and then we went out for lunch. It's a rare treat eating out so much so we (almost) didn't mind that there was only one waitress on. I guess the rest of the staff must have melted with all of the rain.

We were kind to her, but it was really hard to wait so long for our drinks, our food, our SILVERWARE and our check...

Tonight's practice should be wet too, but at least the rain seems to have stopped finally.

Lilly

Lilly has the biggest news this week: SHE HAS QUIT KARATE! Ever since she was about to start the advanced class and all during the advanced class, she has been miserable. We kept her going, however, because she had been getting closer and closer to her black belt.

Well, she's been at one belt below her black since March 2009. There was a black belt test coming up again in September. I, as I had before many times, talked to the Senseis (her karate instructors) and it was the same story. She was only doing 2 out of the 3 necessary skills well enough to test for black belt. Now, it's not that she CAN'T do the third skill, which is her form, with intensity. She just doesn't want to. Her kickboxing and self-defense are all set for the test.

She has been saying all of this time that she simply does not want to look like "an idiot" yelling as she carries out her moves ("Hi-YAH!") and punching the air hard as is required. We finally came to a decision. She has gone as far as she can in martial arts at this time. There is nothing else her Senseis can do at this point. It's up to her and she just won't do it.

We even offered her a cell phone if she would just "bring it" to class, test and be DONE this September. We had been talking about getting her one with a LOT of restrictions anyway. She said that even the best phone in the whole world wouldn't convince her to do what it takes. She has been told in the 18 or so months since she got her red III belt (the one right below black) that she could not pursue other activities of interest like swim team, skateboarding lessons, dancing, etc. until the black belt was completed because she was SO close. However, enough is enough. She has held to the commitment for a long time and it's time to stop. She said herself that she may want to go back and finish it at some point. Either way, we're very proud of how hard she tried.

She has a new happiness since the decision. Lilly was getting to the point that she dreaded the entire days that she had class. Now, she is happily illustrating and writing chapter after chapter in her comic book and painting her brothers' faces! Glad to have her back!

Mom

As much as I love having my kids home and we've had a fantastic summer, I am ready for the kids to go back to school next week. Everyone is excited!

It was my turn to hang out at Andy's soggy practice last night. I had brought everyone like I normally do, but this time, I dropped him off, brought the other 3 home and when Dave came home from work, went back with a towel and dry clothes. I waited in the warm car (lucky me!) for the opportunity to nurture my post-practice, waterlogged, miserable boy. It was a great Mommy moment!

I went to the gym last Friday and tried to do some of the same free weight exercises that my neighbor taught me the week before when we worked out together. My legs didn't hurt nearly as much as they did the day after I trained with her so I mustn't have pushed myself enough! I'm planning to go A LOT when school starts. I'm still waiting to do one more bloodtest that my doctor ordered. I'm convinced that all I need to lick the fatigue is to eat less and move more. I've been dieting, but to no avail, which is not normal for me. I'm just going to have to keep trying I guess!

Malcolm looking for his next picking spot. So many to choose from! One of the friends we went with had the forethought to bring along fabric strips so we could all tie the buckets around our necks and pick hands-free! BRILLIANT!

Andy and Lilly in the bushes. Where did Harry go? Hope he's not off snacking! Tsk, tsk...Nope! I see him behind Andy! What was it, yellow shirt day?

Harry

Harry and Malcolm are about to embark on an adventure...first grade! Not only will they be going to school for the WHOLE day this year for the first time, they will also have their very own teachers! Even though they were separated in preschool and kindergarten, they had some of the same teachers overlap AND they ALWAYS had the same activities and homework. Both boys are excited and anxious at the same time.

Malcolm

Malcolm showed initiative with the facepaint himself. Lilly went off on a daytrip with a friend this morning suddenly. She was able to do Harry up in all-red (including his eyelids and ears!) but ran out of time to do Malcolm's face. He then did his own.

Unfortunately, neither of these latest faces lasted long enough for a picture. I think the red eyelids were bothering Harry and after he washed his off, Malcolm didn't want to be the only one with "a face on" so he followed suit.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

eHello! I am so glad to FINALLY be back, to writing that is! I haven't been away or anything, just overwhelmed and overcommitted. Things are starting to feel a little more manageable right now, although I don't want to say it too loud or I may just jinx myself.

We're in Week 3 of Andy's football season. As I mentioned before, we go 4 nights a week for the entire month of August from 5:30p to about 8p. I knew what we were getting into and I'm not complaining. I'm very excited for Andy and his team! They're looking good and have their first game on Sunday! It did take me awhile to get used to the schedule though and (somewhat) build a routine around it.

It seemed like we had a lot against us Weeks 1 and 2. The first week, we had swimming lessons for over 3 hours everyday. This meant we got home just in time to take a short break and then we were out the door again. Oh, and yes, all 5 of us were doing all of this. Dave has been meeting us at the park where the practice is after work/commute. By the time he catches up with everyone, plays with the kids and eats whatever dinner I packed for him, it's usually time to go home.

Dinner was happening afterwards during the first week since I didn't have any time or energy to feed the kids more than snacks after swimming lessons. Let's just say, the kids were up REALLY late.

Last week, Andy developed swimmer's ear which peaked on Monday. This, coincidentally, was also the first day they played with all of their gear on. I can't imagine his discomfort putting his football helmet on when his earlobe was so tender to the touch! Tuesday, I picked up some drops that the doctor prescribed over the phone. The ear got better as the week went on and so did Andy's attitude. The good news about last week is that I did get to feed the kids some semblance of dinner before we left only to find that they want another FULL meal when they get home. So, STILL UP REALLY LATE! We gotta fix that FAST since school is starting in less than 2 weeks!

This week has actually been fun! It's still hectic to go almost every evening, but Andy's much happier, less tired and no longer in pain. Plus, I think I've got the hang of packing equipment, kids, etc. All of this makes for a WAY easier time for me!

So, we're hanging in there. Karate classes have been a bit of a challenge to attend with everyone's schedules (including picking up Lilly from camp and then going to football right afterwards), but that's also slowly coming back on track.

Mom

As always, I'm having bittersweet thoughts about the end of the summer. As much as parts of this summer have dragged on, the kids have been bored and I've been too tired to motivate us to get out and do something about it at times, each year I never want to succumb to the fact that once school starts, our days will no longer be carefree. I like the promise of telling the kids, "Maybe we can try to get there next week.", meaning it and then DOING it! We are also resigning ourselves to the fact that it's just going to get colder and darker with each passing day. You just don't feel that way in July! You feel like summer is going to last forever!

Alas, there is nothing anyone can do about it except enjoy the seasonal moments we have left. So, that's what we've been doing! I've been feeling so much better physically and not sleeping nearly as excessively. My doctor is waiting for me to do one more bloodtest before she makes any conclusions about why I've been so fatigued, but she doesn't think it's anything serious.

We had a wonderful time with some friends over the weekend. We went blueberry picking and all 6 of us got over 25 lbs of berries! Before we got to the berry farm, we rode in the back of our friends' pickup truck! Yes, this would be illegal if it wasn't on their private road (for all of one block, going about 10mph on a clover-picking mission prior to the legal, seatbelted drive to the berry farm on public roads). Did I mention our friends live in the country?

Dad flanked by Harry...

and Malcolm (takin' it all in).

Here's Malcolm selecting yummy clover to feed to the animals at the berry farm prior to our journey. The donkeys, goats and rabbits who were there were very appreciative!

Uh-oh! Looks like Dave took over photographer duty with his camera after we got to the berry farm! I'll get "The Berrypicking Collection" off of his camera and get some of those photos up since his camera intimidates me.

Yesterday, the 3 boys and I went to our local Aquarium to meet a friend who was in town from Canada and staying nearby. (Lilly is at camp this week.) It was a very last minute visit but we had a wonderful time! I got to meet her baby who was born in February and the boys are STILL talking about the stingrays, sharks and penguins.

I love that all of my kids are at the age now where we can go places together and explore things as a family. Last summer it was just starting, but this year it's really taken off. As much as I adored when my kids were babies, toddlers and preschoolers, it's great when they can listen and follow directions, look at things, ask questions and understand the answers.

They also can last longer than they could before so we can make a real day out of a visit like that! I also found out that Malcolm knew what sea anenomes are, could identify them AND pronounce the word! I had a TERRIFIC day! This is the same aquarium that Lilly and I slept over at in January, so I felt like it was OK that she missed yesterday. See http://somanykidssomuchfun.blogspot.com/2010/02/marine-life-encounters-and-other.html

Seal tank. That's a big rock in the middle. Andy, forever wondering how things work, is trying to figure out what's going on under the surface of the water. (Harry, middle. Malcolm, right...and stri-ped! My word, not his.)

Not sure what's up with this pose, but I had to catch the shot as a seal went swimming through!

Malcolm finding out what a starfish feels like. (By the way, when did they start being called "seastars"? Is that more politically correct? I guess they must have protested because they're "not fish"...but I still call 'em starfish. I'd better not since I may offend cephalopods as a group.) Verdict: "It feels squishy."

Lilly

Lilly had a 24-hour playdate and sleepover with one of her best friends on Saturday/Sunday. I love having her friend here. As usual, the girls had a blast together and Lilly was tired the next day, but still able to pick lots of berries.

She started another week of camp on Monday. Because she's over 9 years old (she's 10, actually), she can do this special field trip camp where she goes to all kinds of cool, local attractions (including the theme parks with the scary rides that she loves and I don't). See http://somanykidssomuchfun.blogspot.com/2009/09/emotional-rollercoaster.html and forgive me for linking to it AGAIN! Needless to say, she's in her element! I must admit that the big water parks she visited sound like fun though.

She is very cooperative with going to Andy's football practice so often. It helps a lot that she has made a new friend that she can hang out with. This friend has two siblings involved with football and cheerleading respectively. Oh yeah, the cheerleaders also practice Mon-Thu in August!

They'll probably be more Lilly news next week since I haven't seen much of her this week!

Andy

In a word, FOOTBALL! Have you noticed the pattern yet?

That's him in a huddle with the black pants. He looks enormous in those shoulder pads!

Andy also enjoyed chilling out on Saturday and berry picking on Sunday. He picked berries and clover like a machine and in a two-handed fashion. ANDY LOVES TO WORK!! He rakes, shovels and pretty much does everything chore-related usually totally voluntarily! Sometimes I still worry that one of my neighbors will call in the authorities because they think we're doing child labor over here! We're not! Just that I can't keep the kid from working! We're talking about the boy who comes home from school on a warm, winter day to find the snow has melted and is upset that he can't SHOVEL what was there when he left in the morning.

The downside of that is that when I really WANT him to clean his room or other specific chore, it can be a struggle since he's either tired from doing all kinds of BIG chores or he simply is not motivated to do what I ask when I ask. We've been chilling most of the week other than the aquarium and a playdate later this afternoon.

Dad

Dad returned home from Washington DC on Friday evening. Everyone was glad to see him of course! His car is having muffler problems (as in, the muffler is no longer attached; as in, the car is REALLY loud). It reminds me of a long time ago, same car, when he called me on his way to work.

Dave: "Something's wrong with my muffler."
Me: "What makes you say that?"
Dave: "It's in my trunk." (it fell off while he was driving then he pulled over and retrieved it)

We're going to get it fixed tomorrow. The 16-year-old workhorse is up for its state inspection this month so we're going to have them take care of that too. I'll keep you posted on its pass/fail status! God bless my husband for driving this non-air-conditioned jalopy so I can stay home with our kids! Love you!

Harry

He just came up to tell me that the mail came and that the boys took the liberty of opening their letters that say what teacher they'll be having this year. Apparently, the fact that the letters are addressed "To the Parents of _________" means NOTHING! The twins will be separated next year but unfortunately, neither of them got the teacher I was hoping at least one of them would get. That's OK. We'll make the best of it.

Andy's 2nd grade teacher is teaching 3rd so he will have her again. We did have a choice in this matter and I'm happy with that outcome. The boys had the decency NOT to open Lilly's letter because she's not at home. I gotta give them that! I told Harry to bring all of the papers inside while I finish up this post so our school supply list and who-knows-what-other-inserts-since-I-didn't-open-the-letter don't blow all over the neighborhood!

Malcolm

What did this week look like for Malcolm? Berries, clover, swimming in our pool and going to the aquarium. Maybe when school starts I'll have different stories for each twin. Sorry guys, but you're inseparable! By the way, WHO PEED IN THE TRASHCAN?!?! I've narrowed it down to a minor-aged MALE and suspect that it's Harry, but it could be Andy who just didn't want to head to one of the other TWO bathrooms! Seehttp:/somanykidssomuchfun.blogspot.com/2009/08/theres-something-about-harry.html

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Hi Everyone! I am really missing my writing time, but am slowly getting it back. It's been an adjustment with Andy doing football 4 nights a week, plus my husband just got back from a 5-day trip. The Wednesday News will be back after a brief, unexpected hiatus, but in the meantime, I finally was able to upload some pictures!

If you recall, my computer has been broken. My husband loaned me an "old" one from work. While I am grateful to have a computer to use, it is so "old" that it doesn't know how to read pictures off of my camera. Today, I was able to get my ailing computer to limp through uploading some recent summer fun and then email them to myself on this machine (which may be old, but is in much better shape than mine).

Finally! Here are some photos of what we've been up to!

Making alien antennae at camp (Harry left, Malcolm right)

Andy's been playing summer baseball

We met MICHAEL JACKSON!! Actually, Edward Moss as Michael Jackson. If you've seen Scary Movie 2 or Scary Movie 3, he was in that as an MJ impersonator. We got to see him perform at a local theme park. You'd swear you were watching the King of Pop himself! Voice and everything! Andy was too shy to pose with him.

Lilly had a craving for cinnamon rolls the other day so we made our own from scratch!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

I am working backwards on the Problogger Challenge trying to catch up. I think Day 20 was a long time ago, but I hope to get an "E" for effort!

OK, today's task is to write an "opinion" post. I don't normally go out on a limb like this in my blog. I just read the other day, "Opinions are like belly buttons. Everyone has them." I like to keep my blog light and narrative, but the task has gotten me thinking. Getting to know my opinions is another way I can share with my readers! It is not in my nature to "shove them down people's throats" though, so no worries.

I'm going to use a topic that's relatively benign as there is enough conflict in the world (and in my house right now). It's also a concept that's near and dear to my heart.

I have mentioned before that I am a self-titled, highly-participatory mom. Read "Andy's News" in the following post:

Some may say that I am trying to relive my childhood, but I'm not. I just love playing with my kids and being with them in their moments (and ENDLESS questions about EVERYTHING)! Some of the things I have done is feed slobbering animals at the petting zoo against my will, actively watched my kids' karate classes and baseball games (when I would have loved to have caught up on my reading on the sidelines), ridden rollercoasters (I believe I've linked to the rollercoasters too often lately so I'll spare you here) and gone on waterslides even though I hate getting my hair wet. I also have had to wait longer for something to cook because everyone had to take a turn stirring, pouring or tasting. It's also a challenge when you even have children show up in the kitchen while cooking, but I love a challenge.

So, I laugh giddily, get messy, get wet, get hit with balls and generally make a fool out of myself. I also face my fear of heights when I agree to ride with my daughter ABOVE THE TREELINE on a gondola and again, the rollercoasters of course. Why? I do it all for my kids and you know what? It's an enormous amount of FUN and I don't care what people think of me while my kids are beaming from ear to ear!

I remember as a child how much more fun things were when my parents did them with me. I also have a commitment to give my kids my undivided attention when they're doing something that's important to them. When Andy asks me if I saw his slide into second base, I can say, "Yes, I did!" Watching the big kids' activities is becoming easier now that the twins are older. I must admit, but my heart was always in it even if I had to nurse someone or go change a diaper.

Now, I don't underestimate the importance of taking time for myself. It is a struggle to carve it out. My husband is extremely supportive of this. We just have to work together on weekends better. Weekday evenings have been consumed by sports since April and will be for some time. I have a lot more fun when my batteries are charged up for my job (which, by the way, is the best job in the whole world!).

Here's my opinion: I think parents have a more full experience in their lives when they participate as much as possible in what their kids are doing (both physically and mentally)!

Any thoughts? Opposing viewpoints? Bring them on! In addition to a challenge, I also love different perspectives!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Hello! I figured since The Wednesday News has been delayed, I might as well do something on time like this week's Five Question Friday!

It's been a good week, but a stressful one. The stress came because of the following equation:(4 kids x 5 days of swimming lessons) + (first week of football practice x 4 evenings) - my energy due to fatigue issues = NOTHING GOT DONE AT HOME!

I had a blast with the kids at the lessons and watching Andy get through his first week of conditioning for football though. No stress there! Kids outside + good weather = DISTRACT MOM FROM NOTHING GETTING DONE AT HOME.

1. Are you a neat sleeper or a messy sleeper?

I am a neat sleeper! I even have a pattern. I wouldn't call it a method since it is not planned out. Here goes: I start off on my back with two pillows. Just before I'm all the way off in dreamland, I turn over on my belly, stand the top pillow up against the headboard and wedge the bottom pillow (now known as "only pillow") between my head and my right arm with my right ear down. This is to let you know what way my head is turned. Due East for people who know my house and my bedroom!

In the morning, I only have to put away the "stand up, starter" pillow. I don't destroy the sheets either. I just emerge from them and a triangle forms as I lift the covers off of me.

I am sure you're thinking, "Why do you need 2 pillows if you're going to only end up with 1 shortly thereafter?" I dunno. I just gotta have both when I set off to get some shuteye. That's the way I roll.

2. Fill in the blank. I wish I was more ________________.

ORGANIZED! I am getting much better, but I am just not naturally that way. It seems as if I have to fight my mess-making as I go along. Like Pigpen on Peanuts. I have a tendency to pile, drop and fly by the seat of my pants.

It just doesn't work with 4 kids 4 years apart. I HAVE TO PLAN as much as it is NOT in my nature. I'm really good about some things. I have NEVER run out of gas because I always plan ahead on that one. I have been blessed with a great memory so I rarely miss appointments even if I haven't written them down. The numbers just "stick" in my head.

I think it all boils down to not wanting to take the time. I don't want to go through my mail, I want to hang on every word when my son is telling me his ideas about changing the color of the sky all on his own. I'd rather watch my favorite TV show than use that time to help my kids pack their backpacks the night before. I have been like this all of my life.

Having all of my kids in 4 years (including 2 at the same time), I have had no choice but to get more organized. You can't just "up and go" anywhere. Does everyone have shoes? Did everyone use the bathroom? Does everyone have snacks/drinks? Bathing suits? Towels? Where are my car keys? It's true that everyone has things to remember, especially parents, but maybe if one child forgets his beach towel, he can borrow yours. Four kids cannot borrow one beach towel!

It has really gotten past the point of tolerance for me though. Believe me, my threshold was HIGH too! I have a friend that feels totally stressed out if she goes to the grocery store the night before one of her kids has a birthday party. She wants to have it all done by then. She is onto something!

I am determined to find a system that works for our family. I've come to realize life is a lot more fun when you can FIND everyone's things (and your bank statements). Plus, my kids will be even happier when there is more order as will the rest of us.

3. What is something that you wish you had been warned about?

I'll have to say my first rollercoaster ride. I know I link to this post a lot, but I have been finding it relevant again! It outlines my feelings toward "the coaster".

The one I'm going to write about wasn't my very first, but my very first was when I was about 6. I hated it but I figured by the time I was in high school, I'd be "over it".

So, off I went on the 1 hour plus drive with my high school pals to the biggest park near our home. I looked at the rollercoaster. It was high and fast, but after all, EVERYBODY wanted to go on it and EVERYONE was smiling and squealing with delight as they careened along. I am MISSING OUT and I GOTTA GO ON.

We wait, and wait and wait in line. I finally get buckled in and the guy puts this harness over my shoulders. Still, not a clue what I'm in for until....um, this is going up REALLY high....now....AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH....Am I going to do a somersault into the person in front of me because this downhill is SO steep? WHY THE HECK DOES THAT PERSON HAVE HIS HANDS UP? IS HE OUT OF HIS MIND?!?! I have a white-knuckle grip on the bar and I'm still TERRIFIED!

Oh my gosh. Am I going to die? I think I am. That's OK. It's gotta be less scary than this vehicle of torture. Twist, turn, more hills, can't find my stomach, more terror...then...SCRRRREEEECH. We stop. It's over. I survived! I look over at my friend beside me. He says, "That was AWESOME!!" and wants to go wait in line again. Are you KIDDING ME?!?! Are the people who are eagerly waiting for me to jump out of my seat so they can have a go at it KIDDING ME? HOW on earth could this person have enough in common to be FRIENDS with ME?!?! I feel like I just cheated DEATH ITSELF.

I am determined to get over my fear, however. I know I'll be boarding one before the end of the summer. Glad I haven't had dinner yet. It makes me queasy just thinking about it.

After all, who really could have warned me when apparently, they're so much fun!

4. What was the best thing you ever found at a garage sale/flea market?

Our dining room table and chairs! My parents actually found it at an "estate sale" and gave it to us as a housewarming present.

5. If you could have any meal brought to you right now, what would it be?

Pizza! What can I say, I'm easy to please. I do like gourmet and some exotic food as well, but pizza is my favorite (and yes, I also like gourmet pizza).

Actually we are having pizza tonight, but I have to heat up frozen ones. It's just not possible for us to order out every week given our family size (and off-the-chart appetites). We save that for a special treat.

I LOVE to eat large quantities of either deep dish OR thin crust pizza fresh from a pizzeria. I especially like Greek-style pizza. There's something about the cheese.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

The Wednesday News will be back very soon! Just wanted to let you know I was still alive and kickin'! Well, fatigue has been a major factor in trying to get things done this week so EVERYTHING has suffered.

I am going to the doctor tomorrow to see if she can, once again, explain why the heck I'm so beat! Keep ya posted! Thanks for stickin' around!

Monday, August 2, 2010

Adjusting to all 4 taking swim lessons AND Andy having football practice 4 nights a week! So far, LOTS of fun. Tomorrow I should have a bit of a breather since we don't have to add a 5-person trip to the grocery store to the mix!

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About Me

Tune in for the chronicled adventures of my family (even though there are too many to write down)! I am a very happily married, stay-at-home mom of 4. My oldest is Lillian, age 11, next is Andersen, age 9 and my identical twin boys are Harrison and Malcolm, age 7.